The maternal rantings of a homeschooling mother of 5, Mimi to 3.5 and caregiver to many...

Monday, February 1, 2010

Saying Goodbye

I said goodbye to my son today. He graduated Marine Boot Camp on Jan. 22, came home on leave and then departed for his school today. It was hard when he first left for boot camp. Oh don't get me wrong, part of me relished the fact that his bed was made, his clothes were put where they belong and he was getting up really early. But, letting go of your child is truly hard. Today when he left it was a feeling of wow, he's REALLY leaving. Like, no reason to come back except to visit. What if he doesn't want to visit? What if he can't because he's in another country? Today I took a new step into motherhood...letting him go so he can do it on his own. In May I have to let another one go in a matter of speaking. He'll graduate high school and attend college while living at home. Some of you might think that's not really letting go but it is. He'll respect our house rules but I am no longer responsible for his choices. The buck stops with him, not me. Mind you, I'm not a control freak but it's change, ya know? Now I have two girls that require a more hands on approach to rearing them up. One entering 9th grade in the Fall and one potty training. Yep, you read it right. I love every minute of it! My blended family includes my lovely 24 year old daughter who is brilliant and is thriving beautifully as a married momma.

My life is a complicated, noisy, blessed mess but its mine and I wouldn't have it any other way.